The Visioning Voices Community Speaker Series and Workshop will discuss how play is not just for children, but how play is a lifelong activity that can bring multiple benefits to individuals and entire communities. Keynote speaker is Joy Kuebler, a landscape architect from the Buffalo area who has worked with numerous communities to expand the role of play in daily life. For more information, contact Maren King, director of the Center for Community Design Research, at mfking@esf.edu or call (315) 470-4721

All month, an art exhibit, "Simple Things by Buddy Belonsoff," will be on display at Beauchamp Branch Library. The public can meet the artist during an event starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at the library. Light refreshments will be served. 

The Butler Sheehan Academy of Irish Dance makes its 20th appearance at Betts Branch Library. Performing in traditional costume, this accomplished school-age troupe was established more than 46 years ago, making it the first in the Syracuse area.

Footraces have become major events that attract visitors and boost the economy of Central New York. This FOCUS Forum takes a look at the season ahead and prospects for growth. Session will met on the fourth floor of the The Nancy Cantor Warehouse at 350 W. Fayette St. Join a discussion with Ed Griffin of Fleet Feet, Pat Leone of Leone Timing and Jeff Mickle of Visit Syracuse about the economic impact of footraces.

Explore the science of slime with a St. Patrick’s Day twist. For ages 7 and up. Registration required. Call the library at (315) 435-3395 to sign up.

A Nutrition & Health Expo for Seniors will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Saturday, March 24, at the CNY Regional Market "F" Shed. March is National Nutrition Month. This year’s theme is “Go Further with Food.” It will include: A light and healthy breakfast, massages, community resources, healthy cooking demos and samples, health screenings and exercise classes.

These informal community meetings will be held on the last Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Southside Interfaith CDC, 500 W. Newell St. Neighbors in McKinley Community and friends in other Syracuse neighborhoods and surrounding areas welcome. They provide the hot coffee; you provide the hot topics.

Can you build a “Peeps” nest out of jellybeans and toothpicks? Or make a car using only a balloon and a plastic egg? Come find out. For ages 5 and up.

A screening of Anthony Bourdain’s documentary “Wasted! The Story of Food Waste” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 4. Light refreshments and finger foods will be served starting at 6 p.m. and the film will start at 6:30 p.m. A Q&A discussion will begin at 8 p.m. Sponsored by Sustainability Management at Syracuse University and OCRRA, the panelists for the evening will include: Shewa Shwani, formerly profiled in The Stand and who is president of the Food Recovery Network at ESF and SU; Melissa Cadwell,  sustainability coordinator for SU’s Sustainability Management, and Greg Gelewski, recycling operations manager for OCRRA. The screening will be held at Syracuse University’s Watson Theater; park at Booth Garage.

Participate in Days for Girls sewing/assembly event April 7 to help girls in Ghana — and around the world — stay in school. No sewing skills required. Training provided. You will be making quality sustainable feminine hygiene kits for girls living in poverty in Ghana and over 100 other countries, including the United States. Donations of fabric and supplies welcome. If you have a sewing machine, please bring it. For information about the event, contact Susan Keeter at (315) 439-0743 or keeters@upstate.edu For information about Days for Girls visit www.daysforgirls.org.